July 1883 - Godey’s Lady’s Book and Magazine

Published July 1883

Godey's Lady's Book and Magazine was a popular women's magazine that played a significant role in American culture during the 19th century. It was first published in 1830 by Louis A. Godey and Sarah Josepha Hale and continued publication until 1898. The magazine primarily targeted middle- and upper-class women and covered a wide range of topics including fashion, literature, homemaking, and current events.

Godey's Lady's Book gained popularity for its emphasis on women's interests and its high-quality content. It featured fashion plates, illustrations, and patterns, making it a valuable resource for women seeking the latest trends in clothing and style. The magazine also included fiction, poetry, essays, and serialized novels, often featuring works by prominent American writers of the time.

One of the most iconic features of Godey's Lady's Book was the hand-colored fashion plates, which showcased the latest designs and helped shape women's fashion during the Victorian era. These plates were meticulously illustrated and provided inspiration for women in their dress and personal style.

In addition to fashion and literature, Godey's Lady's Book covered topics such as domestic skills, etiquette, cooking, and home decor. It aimed to provide guidance and advice to women in various aspects of their lives, reflecting the societal expectations and ideals of the time.

Godey's Lady's Book became immensely popular, reaching a wide audience across the United States. At its peak, it had over 150,000 subscribers, making it one of the most widely read magazines of its time. Its influence extended beyond its readership, as it helped shape American cultural norms and played a role in defining women's roles and aspirations in the 19th century.

While Godey's Lady's Book ceased publication in 1898, its impact on American society and its contributions to women's literature and fashion during the Victorian era remain significant. Today, the magazine is considered an important historical artifact and a valuable resource for studying the cultural and social history of 19th-century America.

Original wraps. Steel-cut engravings. Hand-colored fashion plates included.

These show natural distressing and wear due to age and use yet these are  wonderful to look through and get a glimpse into the past in the year of 1879.

Size: 6 1/2” X 9 3/4”

An incredible look into the past for a Victorian Era lady during this time period!